At the supermarket, Mia is shocked to discover a milk carton bearing her photo and the word “MISSING.” Will Mia be able to save herself once she finds her true identity? Mia, 14, opened her eyes to a nurse smiling beside her. “How are you feeling, dear? Can you tell me your name?” the woman asked. Mia blinked. “I’m Mia…but that’s all I know,” she said.“It’s OK,” The nurse smiled. “You’ve been in a coma for a few days. Your brain is still trying to wake up fully.” The nurse examined her, checking her pulse and examining her eyes. Mia was fine, but she would stay under observation, at least for a few days. “Just a little longer, and you’ll be discharged. I’m going to tell your parents you are awake,” the nurse continued. “They’ve been distraught, but they’ll be so happy to see you.”
paperweight across the room, barely missing me, and shouted that she wouldn’t be fooled by my ‘lies.’ The session ended with her storming out, leaving chaos in her wake.” Mia’s worst suspicions were proved. Laura wasn’t her mother. Laura was a mentally ill woman who thought Mia was her dead daughter who was somehow reborn. As the day went on, Mia didn’t know how to escape Laura’s clutches. Day turned into night, and at some point, she dozed off. The next morning, she was awakened by footsteps near the basement door above. “Please, let me out,” she yelled, but no answer came. Mia thought quickly and formed a plan to manipulate Laura physiologically. This time, Mia yelled, “Mom! It’s scary down here!” The footsteps halted. Mia’s plan was working. “Mom, remember how we planted the garden together? We were a team…I want those moments back. Please, Mom.”Minutes stretched endlessly as Mia held her breath, waiting for any sign of yielding from Laura. “Mom, I love you, I really do. I want to be with you, not locked away. Please!” she continued. It was then she heard a faint sound—a key turning in the lock, a bolt sliding. The door creaked open. Laura came downstairs and gently wrapped her arms around her. “I’m sorry I did this to you, honey,” she said. “I was scared you would leave. I can’t lose you again.” “I’m here now; don’t worry,” Mia feigned concern. Laura took her upstairs and served her some food. Mia noticed how Laura’s hands shook as she ate and how nervous she appeared. The illness in her mind was clearly visible. Mia pretended to be a good girl and finished her meal. Laura then went to the kitchen to clean it. “Honey, can you fetch me the rest of the dishes?” she called out from near the sink. “Sure, Mommy!” Mia replied. This was the right time. Seizing the only opportunity to escape, Mia grabbed a plate, carefully approached Laura, and then swung the plate with all her might.The impact was so strong Laura crumbled to the ground, crying in pain. Mia quickly grabbed the front door keys, unlocked the door, and began running. She headed into the forest and kept going. When she glanced behind at one point, she saw Laura was following her. Mia ran as fast as she could. But Laura managed to catch up with her and grabbed her leg. Mia fell face-first on the ground. Laura turned her over, her hands around Mia’s neck as she choked the girl. “Please, let me go!” Mia gasped out weakly. “I can’t…breathe!” Mia had really thought she was going to die. But then, she heard a voice, “Release the girl now, or I’ll shoot!” A cop, his gun drawn, emerged from the bushes. “Need backup. Female and a young girl near the river,” he reported on his radio. When he saw Laura wasn’t listening to him, he made a split-second decision and fired—not a bullet, but a dart of electricity that arced through the air with a sharp crack. Laura’s body jolted, and her hands went slack. Air rushed into Mia’s lungs as she gulped down breath after precious breath. The officer was quick to reassure Mia as he holstered the Taser. “Don’t worry, you’re OK now. She’s been subdued.”Soon, Mia’s parents arrived with a bunch of officers. Her parents hugged her and explained how they had found her using the information from her call. “We contacted the police immediately after you called us. You’ll finally be home, honey,” Her mother said. “Finally.” Mia wrapped her arms around her parents and silently cried with relief. She knew the people she was hugging were her real parents. Not only did she look like them, but the comfort she felt in their arms was something she would never feel otherwise.